Father of 4th-grade Mass. rapper cleared of abuse

Associated Press

April 5, 2013 - 11:27 AM

BROCKTON, Mass.
- Massachusetts child welfare officials concluded that there is no evidence of abuse and neglect in the case of a 9-year-old rapper who drew national condemnation for appearing in sexually suggestive videos.

Brockton police in February asked state child welfare officials to look into possible abuse after watching videos featuring Louie Rivera Jr., who goes by the stage name Lil Poppy, following a feature story about him in the local newspaper.

The videos showed the boy cavorting with scantily-clad grown women in nightclubs and singing about drugs and a luxurious lifestyle.

A state Department of Children and Families spokeswoman said a thorough investigation into the fourth-grader's father, Luis Rivera, has been closed after finding no evidence to support abuse or neglect allegations.

"The decision followed interviews with members of the family, school officials and medical professionals," said the spokeswoman, Cayenne Isaksen.

The family's lawyer said he was not surprised by the finding, calling it "complete vindication."

"I think DCF knew all along that he was in a good stable home," attorney Joseph Krowski said. "The family is relieved that it's over and expected that it would go this way."

The publicity has done wonders for the boy's career, Krowski said, with multiple offers to appear on national television.

"There's calls from all over the world coming in constantly so there's a lot to sort through," Krowski said. "I think the family wants to wait until the school year is over, but the media comes with being in the music industry."